The European Union has turned its focus towards Europe’s most polluting power plants and revised emission standards for nitrous oxide (NOx), sulphur dioxide (SO2), mercury and particulate matter. For many Europeans this is a welcomed change, but with member states flouting air quality standards and continuing to support failing industries rather than transition – will we ever be able to breathe easily?

The announced rebuff of the Paris Climate Agreement by the world’s first economy will have profound impacts on renewable technologies investment. It will restrain investment opportunities, innovation and technology transfers, which are instrumental in meeting the carbon reduction vows of Paris.

Do China and the European Union have what it takes to remodel the global order? At least this is what some energy commentators were asking themselves upon the signing of deeper cooperation on fighting climate change.